The Observation Deck

Jim,

I was shocked that you permitted the cartoon concerning Kenny to be run in the 1/9/07 Observer issue! That cartoon brought back a flood of unpleasant memories. What a horribly inappropriate public remembrance of a person having exceptionalities, at least from my viewpoint! All in the name, I presume, of some strange version of nostalgia.

As one who lived as a child with speech, hearing, and orthopedic differences while growing up in Lakewood, I too endured many of the same types of harassing experiences that Kenny did. While these experiences would certainly not have been unique to Lakewood, I can assure you that they were traumatic and terrible, nonetheless.

I was fortunate. I had a dad who was well versed in martial arts. After being beat up once, I learned how to avoid being beat up in the future. I even recall stopping some thoughtless harassment of Kenny at least once. The Lakewood bullies soon learned that I was not one to be messed with.

And I'm still not one to be messed with. If Kenny was unable to fight back, I was, and still am. Only this time, with words.

My entire life, I have fought for those unable to fight for themselves. That has defined my role as a Special Needs teacher, and continues to be a part of my reason for being.

In my opinion, Kenny, wherever he is, deserves an apology and a retraction.

I pray that God will forgive the cruel boys who harassed Kenny, myself, and every other Lakewoodite who had to suffer, because of their differences. I hope those boys have finally come to realize what they have done...but I doubt it.

Gary

I have been in close contact with Kenny's family ever since we ran the first cartoon about Kenny. They loved that one and saw roughs on this one.

These are done by Scott MacGregor and are truly done with much love and respect for Kenny.

Kenny was my neighbor and a very good friend.

This was not done for any reason but to help us all remember a man who touched all of our lives.

Kenny passed away 16 months ago in a rest home in Livonia Michigan where his sister now lives. Kenny's lawyer now lives in Florida and has been a fan of the paper since the first strip.

While I did have opinions, after reading it a couple times, I realized that I was wrong and the strip is 100% love.

Please re-read, and you opinion will be sent to the writer.

Gary, I think you know us well enough to know this was not done to harm anyone.

Thanks for putting it out there, and for all of your help.

Glad you started a conversation on this.

PS - I do not ever remember Kenny losing a wrestling match. He was as strong as an ox, and had memory skills that made me look weak.

.

Gary-- I hope by now you know that I have the strongest respect and affection for you.

I read the cartoon with fond nostalgia and thought that it showed an acceptance of Kenny on his terms.

Jim and the rest of us would never do something to intentionally harm someone.

We all came from the same background of insecurity and were tested in Lakewood's sometimes abrasive environment.

For sure you've come out good and some of us who felt a little too smug have had to learn how to respect all our neighbors.

And, I do know that if I ever cross the line you'll really or symbolically kick my ass.

Stan

Stan and Jim,

You are both right. I know that neither of you would intentionally do anything to demean someone. I understand your stating that the cartoon's intention was one of love.

There is however, a difference in perspective and perception going on here.

Take our ball club's Wahoo mascot for example. Many times, we've heard it expressed that there was no intent to demean or dishonor Native Americans. That, in fact, Native Americans should even appreciate that they are being recognized.

As one who has worked in the Native American community in Cleveland for many years, I will tell you that the above positions are sincerely disputed. The red feather, for example, is considered to be the blood feather; one of the highest honors accorded to a number of tribes. The caracature is felt by many in the community to be in culturally poor taste, and the whole matter reflects questionably on Cleveland, in my opinion.

From my perspective, the Kenny cartoon seems to be equally patronizing and insensitive. As you apparently have checked with Kenny's family, you may think all is well. Do you really think that makes everything right?

People wih exceptionalities truly appreciate genuine love and understanding. Do you really think this cartoon shows that?

I appreciate all that you do for the good of the city. That's why I felt the need to start this thread, and, as the Quakers say, speak truth to power.

Gary

Again, I know that the cartoon is done out of love and respect for the man. I had questions, but they were answered. In the end, Scott and Gary's name ride on their comments, and we are open to civic source.

The first time we ran a Scot/Gary illio, it was about the great 4th of July storm, and the deaths. I received almost 50 calls about that asking how we could be so insensitive. At that time I asked everyone to go back and read the cartoon, not just look at the pictures. The cartoon format is an interesting one is so much as many pithy things have been delivered in the funnies. At the same time we can all remember Illustrated Classics, that presented the great works of literature in cartoon form. Still most see a cartoon or funny and think it is going to be funny.

Now I cannot answer for the rest. I used to joke with Steve Davis who moved on up to the North side. It was a running joke about no sidewalks, free newspapers, climatized mahogany groves, etc. One day I got a call from another friend that asked me, "Why should I feel guilty just because after a lifetime of hard work I was able to move to Edgewater?" They were not familiar with the bond Steve and I had, and thought instead of good fun I was being cruel. He had a point, and I have slowed down of my mentions of the Williams Sonoma Line. You to in the end maybe right on this. However another important part of the process has been involved, the discussion of the comic.

For everything you bring, and you bring it heavy, I appreciate it.

One question in the abstract. Would it have made any difference if it had been Krazy Kenny instead of Crazy Kenny? For the record Kenny was one of the nicest people I had ever met in Lakewood. A very hard worker that in fact never had to work a day in his life,

Thanks again for starting this discussion.


.

Graphic stories are often that: graphic.

This story brings out a lot of different emotions and memories.

I'm reminded of Kenny and what I learned from people like him as we each live our lives. People can be very cruel. People can be very different. People share the same humanity.

The author's line, "outcasts like Kenny are deprived of something that most of us take for granted" communicates words from the heart.

I would not describe Scott MacGregor's work as a cartoon because that connotes a different meaning. I can't call it a graphic novel because it's seven panels. This to me, is a serious and thought-provoking piece.

In my reading, it is the people who are cruel to Kenny being called out. I see a piece about the commonality of humans, the need for interaction, the need to be touched, the need to fit into the world somewhere - on our own terms. Kenny lived on his own terms pretty peacefully here.

Gary, you've been moved and provoked by this piece and you've been prompted to share your feelings and life experience. I am grateful for your words, even for your anger. I am sorry for the hurt you have endured.

Not everyone wants to share that. Not everyone want to make us look at that pain or that need or that set of life circumstances, either - as MacGregor does.

We don't, as a society, like to have conversations like the one that Scott and you have started.

Gary,

Kenny is a vivid series of recollections from the Lakewood that I and many others grew up in. Each panel of this story contained a faithful rendering of things that actually happened. Had I exaggerrated or lied, then I would be guilty of exploit, in this case, being guilty of telling the truth is something I can live with.

Kenny is a sympathetic character in the two stories that I wrote about him. Most of the so called "normal" people in the stories are not portrayed as sympathetic at all.

There is an underlying sadness and irony about the Kenny saga that I'm trying to depict in my stories. Heck, even calling him "Crazy Kenny" is an affront to today's social sensibilities and I know that. I realize that I'm pushing buttons -but darn it Gary, I'm telling the truth. This stuff really happened.

In your case, I've offended you because, as it sounds, you have had challenges in your life to overcome. I know a little about that. I was born with a birth injury that distorted my looks and made for a pretty rough childhood and adolescence.

Additionally, I have worked as a caregiver and manager in the medical world for over 30 years. I know something about life and what people live through and I have drawn considerable inspiration from people with challenges, many of whom have great senses of humor about themselves and the tough punches that life has laid on them.

Also, I do think that the comic format takes some people by surprise. Graphic stories get a bad rap because people confuse them with cartoons.

Kenny wasn't a cartoon. To me he was an air breathing human who wandered our streets in search of friendship and was turned away more often than not.

My story theorizes that wrestling provided him a desperate opportunity to make contact with a world that treated him like an outcast. That man had to be terribly lonely. That is the story I'm trying to tell.

I'm glad that you wrote about your feelings on this. I appreciate the feedback. But, it says to me that I told the truth, albeit a painful truth.

I will not apologize, but that does not mean that I do not respect you or anyone else's feeling relative to this story.

Peace.

Scott MacGregor

Scott MacGregor wrote: I'm glad that you wrote about your feelings on this. I appreciate the feedback. But, it says to me that I told the truth, albeit a painful truth.

I will not apologize, but that does not mean that I do not respect you or anyone else's feeling relative to this story.

Peace.

Scott MacGregor

Scott

No apology needed.

You put it up, you put your name on it and like Gary, you bring it.

One thing I love about all your work like this, is that it causes people to think, talk and look a little deeper at themselves and others.

One aspect I forgot but you so eloquently explained. The "freaks" in these tales are the "normal" people.

The Observer and I are indebted to you, Gary Dumm, Laura Dumm, and all people that put it up and put it on the line.

PS-Sidenote, could you change the spelling of you name so that it will pass our spell checker?

.

Good friends all,

I was deeply moved by all of your heartfelt remarks.

Learning that discussions were held with Kenny's family, helped me to better understand why the epic cartoon was permitted to go forward.

Your caring for me and my experiences personally, is evident as well, and is deeply appreciated.

Scott, I remember your July 4th illustrated story. Like the one today with Kenny, it was apparent that you were seeking after truth in your reminiscence. You have been moved to cover sensitive topics however, and memories of truth will often be tempered by the polemics of our individual minds.

I'm a writer, as are you all. As such, I am loathe to bring up criticism of writers, because I know full well how much it hurts to someone who is simply trying to make a difference, like Scott.

Please do not allow me to discourage you or your team, Scott. You must continue to write and express yourself. Much of what you discussed, I remembered as if it were yesterday. It was not so much to you, but Kenny's hostile antagonists, to which my anger was directed.

Jim, would it have made a difference with a different name? Probably not. Just remember this. We can use this paper to forge an affirmative honest dialogue, or we can lay out all of Lakewood's issues, past and present, in a manner that could bring well, or ill. The pen is mighty indeed. As you are aware, I still have several columns myself that I am struggling with whether to submit or not. Would they do good, or would they cause damage in the telling?

I want to take this opportunity to thank you Jim, and whomever else may have helped to get the Observer off the ground and running. What a tribute to the city, that this effort has become!

Gary Rice wrote:Good friends all,

...I'm a writer, as are you all. As such, I am loathe to bring up criticism of writers, because I know full well how much it hurts to someone who is simply trying to make a difference, like Scott.

...Jim, would it have made a difference with a different name? Probably not. Just remember this. We can use this paper to forge an affirmative honest dialogue, or we can lay out all of Lakewood's issues, past and present, in a manner that could bring well, or ill. The pen is mighty indeed. As you are aware, I still have several columns myself that I am struggling with whether to submit or not. Would they do good, or would they cause damage in the telling?

I want to take this opportunity to thank you Jim, and whomever else may have helped to get the Observer off the ground and running. What a tribute to the city, that this effort has become!

Gary

I pulled these out to address.

When this project was first discussed almost 5 years ago, we had used a term lifted from Ken Nordine, "Word Jazz." The thought as outlined in another thread was to create a stage that would support symphonies(schools, libraries, city hall), big bands (Lakewood Hospital, beck, advertisers, LakewoodAlive, etc), rock bands(WalkLakewod, MaMa), jazz trios(MacGregor, Dumm, Budgett) and gifted soloists, you, Warren, Endress, Deneen, Austin, Buckeye, Slife, Brumm, Koenigsmark, Ignizo, Bullock, Ivor, Loje, and others who can then help and nurture newcomers Cooper, Callentine, Dixon and many many others, and ALL the members and advertisers that offer support.

The advisory board is just totally geeked, that we can be the roadies and stage crew for these greats of Lakewood. We did it together, we should always remember we did it together. Lakewood and Lakewoodites have accomplished many things, but this, this is as cool as any melody laid down by Miles, Parker, or scat masters Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

That said the reason I ask about "C" or "K" is that we do hammer out all of this stuff. For the first Kenny thread we talked for days how to handle his nickname, how do we connect, how do we honor, yet showcase in natural light. Gary, a writer of some very controversial items yourself, know when asked how much we drill, think and ponder when asked for an opinion if it is right or wrong. You also know in the end, it is up to the artists if they want to play the riff, or not. For in the end, no matter how loud the discourse we are friends and neighbors, we must stay friends and neighbors.

That said, we have another pledge that the Observer lives and dies by. As we are all given FREEDOM to put it up and stand in the spotlight, we must accept the kudos and the criticism. As members bring it with the solemn pledge of taking ownership of all comments, all comments then become valid. This is a pledge and promise we have made to each other. No one takes this more seriously than the advisory board, that worked for almost 2 years bringing this idea to all members of our city.

So as you started the talk, and discussion, those who cared weighed in with support and a try at understanding. Scott comes back to explain the melody and the bass line. One thing i know of this board no matter how deep or how different the view, it is all done with respect and love, for fellow Observer and the city we have chosen.

I think we would all have to say. Scott's piece and the following discussion was some wild, beautiful word jazz.

The stage crew is very happy tonight.

For the record, no piece brought as much favorable mail, as the first Kenny illio. To be honest it was overwhelming.

.

Jim,

Well and truly said.

Gary

There has been so much effort and thought thrown into the ring on this that I’m probably not going to add much to the discussion.

But I did have one last perspective on this. My initial reaction was that it was a very disquieting piece. Upon further self inquiry, I realized there was a certain amount of penance involved for any reader who had “been there.â€Â￾ Said another way (and this is almost cliché) is that kids are notoriously mean. They are also not entirely well versed in adult sensibilities, political correctness, fair play, or why an “adultâ€Â￾ is not fair game to ridicule on a public street, especially with no apparent defenses.

I can say that none of the kids we knew or hung out with, saw Kenny as anything more than a strange anomaly. An adult who didn’t fit the model of other adults we knew or could compare to. The reality was that Kenny created a niche in our daily lives and became an icon of “craziness,â€Â￾from a kids view of the world (that which can be comprised of a whopping 10 or 11 years on this planet). There were also the bullies. They happily did not discern between an adult with challenges or a weaker kid as fair play to torture.

So in the end, I thought back on those times in Lakewood, when Kenny walked the streets so much that his shoes were worn through. To times when Lakewood had such relative innocence. Indeed any bullying Kenny had to endure was unfair. I personally never saw it. If I had at that age, I probably would not have known what it even meant, because my mental model of “crazyâ€Â￾ was the three stooges (which we were forbidden to watch because they hit each other with hammers). I guess what I’m saying is that upon further review, this was a love story. A love of Kenny’s craziness, innocence, a belated righting of wrongs done so many years ago by parties unknown, a love of a character who added color to our streets --and as adults we could empathize with in an entirely different way than the kids we once were.

Why does that guy walk so funny? Look at his thick glasses and his limping walk. All of it is fair game for children who don’t have any other training or perspective. I know that none of our friends would ever have tried to hurt Kenny. This piece was only disquieting to me because it was probably spot-on. Even though my corny meter started to move a little to the red zone, I had to admit that Scott and the crew had made a point in a similar genre as Dianne Arbus. They got me. Life is cruel and beautiful at the exact same time.

Dustin,

First of all, thank you for your post! We need you in Lakewood's conversation. I would hope that people never think that all has been said about a topic.

It is through dialogue, that dichotomies like this one are better understood.

We all have a particular perspective, I suppose. To say anything at all about an issue opens us up to critical review, and that can be difficult at times.

Still, I believe it's worth it, in the long run.

As for what happened to Kenny, and so many others who have suffered at the hands of ignorant injustice?

Even though it's perhaps idealistic to say this, I think that we have to continue to work towards the expression so often heard these days regarding historical tragedies:

Never again.

A lot has been said here.

I have to say what has moved me most about this thread, ironically is not the subject. I'm very impressed with you Gary. Your initial fury was heartfelt and genuine. Your response was articulate, passionate and even dramatic. But HUGELY from my point of view, you were *not* closed minded to another perspective. You did not cop a binary approach to the subject matter and allowed some other replies to balance and even perhaps change your opinion.

Those replies were some of the most delicate and carefully written replies I've seen here, because they wanted to calm your disagreement as much as support Scott's odd predicament of telling it like he saw it. Believe me, it's impressive these days, with years of polarization and exaggeration in our midst, pounding away at our ability to be flexible as individuals.

I applaud your idealism-- idealistically speaking of course, but the devil on my shoulder says it will always happen to humans. The angel on the other shoulder says, "never again" (and spread the word). See? Thanks for the kind words Gary.

Dustin,

Thank you so much for your kind words as well. They resonate in my heart.

Many years ago, I read about the people called Quakers. Like so many other groups, even those peacable people could not agree, and therefore split into several factions in the 19th century.

Still, I recall several of their sayings, and I cherish them.

The one that I recall this evening, speaks well to the recent issue that we all examined.

That there are three sides to an argument, Thine, mine, and the truth.

So often in the last decade, it seems that people do speak and write from agendas, rather than their hearts. When that happens, it is nearly impossible to reconcile. So many seem to care more about their posting, than they do, the person on the receiving end.

That none of us did that in this post series indeed, speaks well for our community.

I do think, on the idealistic side of things, that young people today are much more aware and considerate of people with differences, as they have been in the public schools together since the mid '70s.

Accordingly, I tend to also agree with the following statement:

I believe that it was George Bernard Shaw, and also Robert Kennedy, who said "Some people see things as they are, and ask why. I see things that never were, and ask why not?"

I do think that things are getting better for people like Kenny these days.

Thanks again for your posts, it is an honor to know you, if presently only by e-mail.